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College Hitters Draft Preview (Part 1)

02/17/2022 11:00 AM

Article By: Joe Koetters

With the 2022 College Baseball season getting under way this weekend, there are a plethora of college hitters looking to hear their name called in July at the MLB Draft. This will be a four part series where we go over 4 hitters and 4 pitchers who made appearances in the Cape that are projected to hear their name in the early rounds. This list will be in no particular order, let’s check it out.

Jace Jung – 2B/SS / Texas Tech / Orleans Firebirds

       Jung is a stocky 6’ 205 lb middle infield who currently plays for the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Younger brother of 2019 first round pick Josh Jung, Jace looks to follow in the footsteps of his brother and try to be a first round pick in July. Jace only appeared in 8 games in the Cape but in those 8 games he hit .219 with 9 RBI and 7 hits. While he had a small sample size in the Cape, his Texas Tech numbers speak volume. In 2021, he hit .337 across 56 games with 21 home runs, 67 RBIs and a .462 on base %.

       MLB.com has Jung projected 6th overall to the Miami Marlins, two picks ahead of where his brother was drafted. Jung’s great power tool and beefy size may force him to move to a corner infield position but being the Big 12 player of the year 2021 should warrant at least a trial in the middle infield for the big league squad that takes him. Jung looks to build on his already high stock this year as the Texas Tech Red Raiders open up their season with Michigan on February 18th.

Chase DeLauter – OF / James Madison / Orleans Firebirds

       Next on the list is Jung’s teammate from the Cape, Chase DeLauter out of James Madison University. DeLauter saw his 2021 cut short due to an injury but in 26 games his sophomore year, Chase hit .386 with 6 home runs and 21 RBI and even appeared in 5 games as a pitcher with a 1.23 ERA over 7.1 innings. DeLauter has only played in 42 games over his two years in college but looks to increase that number this year being an everyday outfielder for JMU.

 

       DeLauter came back from his injury strong this past summer, playing in 34 games this year, leading the entire Cape League in HR (9), runs (27) and SLG% (.589). MLB Pipeline has DeLauter as the 8th best prospect on their Top 100 Draft Prospects list for the 2022 MLB draft. DeLauter is a two way player at JMU but it seems as though whatever team selects Chase will be getting a solid toolsy outfielder for the future.
 

Chase DeLauter (Orleans '21) - Photo: SportsPix LLC